Lotus Takes On Regent Street

These days no self respecting car manufacturer can do without a range of branded lifestyle clothing, and Lotus is no exception.

It might be still battling to get its ambitious product rejuvenation launched on time but, if you go to its website (www.lotusoriginals.com) the keen Lotusphile can order everything from a Racing Cap (£20 or $30) to a Brown Leather 48 hour bag for a trifling £1200 ($1800).

Or, if you're in the UK's capital city of London and find yourself at the Piccadilly end of Regent Street you can pay a visit to the new `Lotus Originals' store located at number 52. Part of the former Café Royal, which had an extremely fine wine cellar, the 4200 sq.- ft. store is the first in a series of outlets the sports car maker plans to open in what it describes as "a fully integrated, international retail strategy for non-car Lotus products."